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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think my boss should have consulted us before doing this??

61 replies

LanaLily11 · 07/12/2019 17:44

I work as a secretary in a GP practice. Let’s call our practice manager ‘Wendy’

We had our Christmas Do last night however there are so many of us that I didn’t get a chance to speak to everyone! Wendy is now on annual leave now until Christmas Eve.

My colleague text me earlier asking if I was aware that Wendy has been approached by a tv production company, and been asked if our practice would star in a ‘behind the scenes’ type programme.

My colleague tells me that Wendy has been in talks for weeks with the crew, and has agreed. They will start filming around September next year. Part of the idea is that the camera crew will have access to all the different areas, including consultations etc (obviously this will need to be agreed by each patient)

My colleague was told by Wendy herself last night, after a few too many. AIBU in thinking Wendy should absolutely have spoken to every single member of staff before agreeing?

OP posts:
ForalltheSaints · 07/12/2019 18:29

You cannot be compelled as others have said. I do think that 'Wendy' should have sought your views beforehand. There may be a reason unknown to her why filming should not take place, perhaps that it could put a particular patient at risk. In any case, it will not be much of a programme if almost all of you decline to take part, which I suggest you do.

reginafelangee · 07/12/2019 18:32

Don't worry you won't have to take part unless you want to.

Bluerussian · 07/12/2019 18:43

LanaLily: AIBU in thinking Wendy should absolutely have spoken to every single member of staff before agreeing?
.......
Not unreasonable at all, I'd be livid in your place. However it may come to nothing, television shows are often planned and then shelved. Let's hope so.

redwoodmazza · 07/12/2019 18:51

BBC filmed in my place of work many years ago. We were all asked whether or not we wanted to take part. You won't be on TV if you don't want to be. Don't worry about it.

cstaff · 07/12/2019 18:52

There was a similar programme made about a hospital where my friend is a doctor and she never appeared because she didn't sign up to it. You will be asked to do the same as said above.

user1471449295 · 07/12/2019 18:55

You know you don’t have to appear on tv right? You can opt out

katseyes7 · 07/12/2019 19:00

When l was with the police, back in the early 1990s, the department l worked in was relocated to a centralised unit. This was very new back in the day, and because of that, we were told that a local tv news crew would be coming in to film. Only very briefly, on one occasion, but
l refused to be filmed, mainly because my in laws lived on an estate where two neighbouring families(one two doors down, one opposite) were (to put it bluntly) villains with lists of convictions as long as their arms. lf they'd seen me on the local tv, it could have had repercussions on my in laws.
l'm pretty sure you can refuse to be filmed, or to have your features blurred out. l've seen a few documentary programmes on tv where they've done that.

Aridane · 07/12/2019 19:02

Wendy was being unreasonable and indiscreet to mention something when drunk that is not for her to let slip at this stage

Reallynowdear · 07/12/2019 19:04

YANBU

ShristmasChopper · 07/12/2019 19:07

We had this at my work (not medical environment).
No one was under any obligation to be filmed. Everyone who is being filmed signs an agreement. 70% plus staff didn't feature in any way. There was no pressure to either.
Its not an issue for those not wanting to feature in it so don't worry about it at all.

Difficultcustomer · 07/12/2019 19:12

I’m sure the production company would talk to staff before to see whether it will be viable or too many staff don’t want to take part. As PP have said you can opt out.

churchandstate · 07/12/2019 19:12

I think it’s appalling that your workplace can arrange for someone to come in and film you. Fuzzed out or not, I simply wouldn’t want to participate in this and would refuse to allow people to film me.

purplecorkheart · 07/12/2019 19:15

A friend of mine had this with her job. She did not appear in it but her voice can be heard a couple of times and she is referred to by her first name once. Might be worth telling production that they cannot film you or record you.

StrongTea · 07/12/2019 19:19

Can’t think patients would be happy about this either.

AlexaAmbidextra · 07/12/2019 19:21

I can’t imagine that Wendy has the authority to agree to this without the doctors in the practice being in agreement so if it’s moving ahead then they must have given the go ahead. No need to be angry/livid/furious. As others have said, just don’t agree to take part. If you are in a scene you’ll be blurred out.

AlexaAmbidextra · 07/12/2019 19:24

Can’t think patients would be happy about this either.

Well many obviously are because ‘GPs Behind Closed Doors’ has run for several series featuring a number of different GP practices. If any patients are unhappy they just don’t agree to be filmed. It’s nothing for people to be up in arms over.

AlwaysCheddar · 07/12/2019 19:26

I’d refuse to be in it - in sight or sound.

BennyTheBall · 07/12/2019 19:34

Bit of a drama llama.

My friend's practice has participated in GP's Behind Closed Doors. Only the staff (and patients) that consent are filmed. No pixelating - they're just not on camera.

coconuttelegraph · 07/12/2019 19:37

It's a bit of a non issue imo, if you don't want to take part you don't have to, I don't see the problem

ShamefulBlanket · 07/12/2019 19:37

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

CharityConundrum · 07/12/2019 19:41

It's not just about refusing to be in it, or blurring people's faces out - it's going to mean a huge amount of upheaval and a significant change in working environment. It would have been nice to discuss it with the staff when the opportunity arose to give them a chance to air their concerns and find out what impact it might have on them. Being on TV isn't the problem here - a decision like this being made without reference to those most affected is.

Ferretyone · 07/12/2019 19:50

@LanaLily11

I think that @DeathStare is right. Some while back I was involved with a film crew who were involved in my hobby. The precise details were kept secret from all but a few before the date and - as suggested - all persons who appeared were required to sign a release. Odd - to my mind - is the fact that following the filming all those involved were not allowed to mention it or - even when it was in the transmission schedule - to let any one else know the date !!

PlutoAjder · 07/12/2019 19:56

Just ask to be blurred and don't sign the permissions paperwork.

I've had a strikingly similar issue, years ago now, where we were being filmed. I got incredibly anxious, not sure what to do, was seriously considering quitting over it if they refused to blur me, but it was absolutely fine! I just explained my reason and the producer / editor? Person on set got me to write a summary for legal & they had someone blurring me out when stuff was used in the final edit. I've had an ex colleague stalker for years basically, he's never done enough to be charged but he goes quiet for a year then pops up to harass family / colleagues in various channels e.g. calls my company switchboard claiming it's a family emergency, turned up at our hq office with flowers, etc despite the fact that I've never been more than polite superficial conversation with him, probably spoke to him about 4 times in my life. Anyway, I don't want him to find out which office I work at 4 days a week or potentially find my new address, and the filming was going to show that plus staff entering the building from the car park etc.

They were fine about it, honestly. No issues about it even though I have never (touch wood) been a crime victim soi wasn't sure if they would just see me as a drama queen!

AlexaAmbidextra · 07/12/2019 19:57

Being on TV isn't the problem here - a decision like this being made without reference to those most affected is.

I doubt that a practice secretary would be among those ‘most affected’.

Supersimkin2 · 07/12/2019 20:19

Wendy's prob fibbing a touch - you need to sign release forms for everyone shown. TV company will know she hasn't.